We are Father John Baptist Nguyen Duc Vuong and Father Thomas Tran Thien welcome you to the websites: www.lavang.org and www.ololv.org of Our Pady of Lavang Parish in the Archdiocese of Galverston-Houston, Texas.

Today is the 10th anniversary of the death of Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, marking a very important day, and a day of blessing for us when we come here to be the pastor and associate pastor of this parish. When speaking of Our Lady of Lavang, everyone knows that Cardinal Thuan was born in a location not too far from it, and that he was very devoted to Our Lady of Lavang. Thanks to his devotion, and his life, we are happy to look forward to his beatification in the near future.

Therefore, when we were transferred here, we have asked His Eminence Cardinal Dinardo, archbishop of Galverston-Houston Diocese to approve this date for our installation by Reverend Geift, representing the cardinal in the presence of a great number of priests, deacons, religious brothers and sisters, and everyone in the congregation during a very solemn mass at 10:45 am this Sunday September 16, 2012.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In Vietnam, when speaking of Our Lady of Lavang, everyone would mention the date of August 15 of the pilgrimage in Quang Trá», Vietnam. But when talking about Our Lady of Lavang Pilgrimage in the United States, people would think of other locations such as: the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC , and the Lady of Lavang Shrines in New Orleans and in Las Vegas...

In fact, Our Lady is present everywhere with her Vietnamese children.. We also must mention Our Lady of Lavang Church, Our Lady of Lavang Shrine, in a center covering 22 acres right here in the center of Houston, Texas. It is here that we have organized the annual Our Lady of Lavang pilgrimage during the first weekend in May.

Yes, since 1975, over 2 million Vietnamese had to leave their country, by land and by sea; and it was right here, in Houston, Texas, that you have settled in, and established your happy families. It was right here, all of you, who came from North, Center and South Vietnam, and as Catholics, you have realized that thanks to God's mercy you have reached this freedom shore, and thanks to Our Lady of Lavang who accompanied you on your journey, you have formed gradually an extended family, the family of the Lady of Lavang parish.

The formation of the parish lasts three decades. This resembles the first Christian community described by the Acts of the Apostles: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2,42-47).

Yes, in order to thank God, and Our Lady of Lavang who have journeyed with us in all aspects of our life, everyone contributed to buy lands, and to build up foundations. 35 families co-signed the loans, and all parish organizations created hundreds of fund raisers. Due to their efforts , over the past 28 years, we have a property of 22 acres, with 1,700 families, a church, a chapel, a tent building, a Parish Hall, Our Lady of Lavang Shrine, and multiple classrooms. Over the years many parish ministries were established: the Parish Council, the Parish Finance Council, 12 parish groups to take care of the church, 7 choirs serving all the masses, the Boy Scout troop, the Eucharistic Youth group, the Vietnamese Language Program, and the Religious Education Program with 850 students during this school year ...

Our parish history went through many ups and downs like a boat in the middle of the ocean, but Our Lord said "I will be with you until the end of time", and Our Lady said "Children! Come to me!" Therefore, we have seen the light of hope at the end of the tunnel, and all the hearts are warm again when coming back to this parish.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are aware and proud of the contributions of the Dominican priests over many years in this parish, with the cooperation of all parishioners to build this great and strong community that we have here today.

We will always remember their contributions and will pray for the deceased benefactors from this parish: Fr. Vincent Nguyen Huu Du, Fr. Joseph Do Van Luc and Br. Mai Van To. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

For Fr. Joseph Pham Van Tuynh, the founder of this parish, present in the church today, Fr. Anthony Dao Quang Chinh, Fr. Dominic Trinh The Huy, Fr. Joseph Do Van Chung, former parish administrator, vicars, deacons, religious, we always remember your generous deeds, and the wonderful treasure you have left behind. May our Lord always bless you with health and love.

We cherish the great sacrifices, the generous hearts, the contributions of everyone, young and old, rich or poor over the last three decades. Please allow us to be grateful to all of you and all of those who passed away from our parish and beyond.

His Eminence Cardinal Dinardo, Archbishop of Galverston-Houston Archdiocese, and Reverend Tran Trung Liem, Regional Prior, Reverend Gielt, representing the Cardinal, dear fathers, deacons, religious brothers and sisters, dear members of the parish and finance councils, dear brothers and sisters in Christ and in Our Lady of Lavang, and distinguished guests. We thank God for so many blessings bestowed on our parish and on each individual, family, parish organizations, choirs during so many years.

Next, we would like to thank His Eminence Cardinal Dinardo, Archbishop of Galverston-Houston Archdiocese, and Reverend Tran Trung Liem, Regional Prior for assigning us and accepting us in this parish starting on August 1, 2012.

Ladies and gentlemen, today, we are the persons who were sent here by our superiors to become members of this parish, to walk with you, with each and everyone of you, each family, each child, each person on his or her death bed. We know that with our limited abilities and experiences we need the help from the Virgin Mary to take care of this great parish with so many organizations and parishioners. We joined our order with a very short motto: "We ask the Order to have pity on us." Now, we also would like to ask you all to accept us as members of this parish, to love us and work with us in our new ministries.

Finally, we ask that all of us, clergy and laity, please "love each other with the heart of God". We will always love each other and try to serve the community with you, so that joining force, we could bring the peace of Jesus Christ Resurrected to each individual, family and the whole parish and always go forward under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Also, to continue the work of our predecessors, who have left a precious legacy, we would like to invite you, and welcome you, all of you who are the children of Our Lady of Lavang, to this beautiful and unique church named after Our Lady of Lavang, to this Shrine where you may adore the Eucharist and pray all day, and to a center with exciting activities of various organizations and choirs in the parish from Monday to Sunday.

Once again, we thank our Lord through the intercession of Our Lady of Lavang for giving us this day. Today August 16, 2012 is also the anniversary of the death of Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, we ask him for a miracle to help us "love this parish as our own family", and bless all of you, our beloved Cardinal Dinardo, our Regional Prior Joseph Liem, our clergy, deacons, religious, members of the parish council, parish finance council, members of parish organizations and the whole parish family, and all of you who are the guests to our websites: www.lavangcxhurch.org or www.ololv.org.